A dreamlike journey that tells the story of life through a theatrical genre that breaks the mold.
From June 29th to July 14th, at Castel Sant’Elmo, the Teatro Bellini in Naples (Italy) presents Dignità Autonome di Prostituzione (Autonomous Dignities of Prostitution), a show that has been alive and growing for 17 years.
Produced by Ente Teatro Cronaca Vesuvioteatro, the format, created by Luciano Melchionna together with Betta Cianchini, goes beyond the show to transform itself into an experience that shocks and involves, any time in a different way. It is definitely the envy of the fancy, tacky and monotonous Broadway shows.
Dignità autonoma di Prostituzione is an exceptional and intense event: a dreamlike journey made even more magical by the historic location of Castel Sant’Elmo and its breathtaking view.
It is a surreal journey that begins at the entrance of the castle and gradually ascends into a highly evocative atmosphere.
It’s a genre of theater that breaks the mold: a party of madmen and drags; music and performances that tighten and scratch; the voice of the people that resonates in the soul; allowing a humanity to emerge made up of life stories that touch the heart and dig deep into the conscience.
In such an evocative atmosphere, the actors, dressed in dressing gowns like prostitutes, entice and allow themselves to be approached by the spectators who, like the clients of a brothel, are equipped with “dollars” and must negotiate the price of individual performances (pleasure pills) to attend classical and contemporary monologues written mostly by the author and director Luciano Melchionne, an extraordinary aesthete of thought and art who plays their “pimp”.
It’s not enough to tell it, you have to experience it, and when you do it you want to go back to continue to discover what moves behind the brothel of life.
Dignità Autonome di Prostituzione is the pinnacle of lucidity that creates addiction, an exhilarating and constructive addiction, which will open your heart and put you in contact with other human beings and with those who will make this journey unforgettable. You have already met one of them, who was the protagonist of the latest issue of Napulitanamente, and it is thanks to him that we found ourselves catapulted into this fantastic world.
Antonio Prestieri, aka Maldestro, in addition to his singing performances, offers a sensational monologue written by himself, entitled “Il liberatore”(the liberator). The act moves impetuously, with strong nuances. It is a piece that dares, that leaves nothing to the imagination but that gets to the end capturing those who attend it.
It is an almost therapeutic story, full of hatred and an outburst that veils damnation and pain. It’s an act that involves you and gives you a truly unexpected and liberating ending. We ‘re not going to reveal more, otherwise you would lose the bombshell. Surely we recommend you to go and see it, you will be satisfied with having spent your “dollars” for this surprising performance.
The Roman actress and singer Valentina De Giovanni sings during the show and, in her room, plays a mother in “La post partum” (The postpartum), monologue written by Elisabetta Cianchini. It is a transfer into the female universe that describes, and underlines, an important phase in a woman’s life, that of becoming a mother. A moment characterized, more and more often, by fears and anxieties such as the fear of asking for help, the fear of showing that you don’t feel up to the role of mother, the anxiety of being misunderstood in an extremely delicate condition.
An important piece, at times ironic and full of energy, that energy that mothers must always, and still, bring out when they find themselves alone, fighting against the lack of sensitivity of a superficial and judgmental society. De Giovanni, potentially an artistic descendant of Gabriella Ferri, draws smiles and tears with a final tribute to Trilussa, against the absurdity of war that erases every future.
Luciano Giugliano, from Salerno, plays “Tutta la vita in gabbia”(A whole life in a cage), by Luciano Melchionna. A story of love and sex made of fears and hesitations, discoveries and curiosities. An explicit and romantic story that becomes dramatic and heartbreaking. A few “dollars” for an authentic and truly intense interpretation that will make you cry tears of love and anger.
Raffaele Milite with “L’ego sum”(I am), another monologue written by the diretor and which describes one of the many evils of today: the addiction to consensus at all costs. Crazy intoxications that become healthy only if they have the power to make you feel alive and present. Nice and sensitive, Milite hovers over the chasms of the self in this superficial and humanity-absent society.
Alessandro Frechi, aka Fre, opens the show with “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson, sung a cappella, before offering his interpretation in a cold and dark cell, accompanied by an elegant lady. Good at the transition from comedy to drama, he performs “Il Parcheggio Nardelli”, another beautiful monologue, written by Melchionna, that digs deep, letting coldness and cynicism, tenderness and loneliness emerge and a friendship that opens up to possible turning point.
A lighter note but quit engaging and funny, that of Carlo Caracciolo: “‘O core ‘ngrato” (The ungrateful heart), proposed by himself to the director. A piece that dampens the tension and makes its audience protagonist of a parody of the Neapolitan sceneggiata. The actor known as Ferdinando Capaccio aka ‘O Crazy in Gomorrah season 4, in a role very far from the one you saw in the TV Series, coordinates, as a nice entertainer, the attendees who play the assistants, the actors, and the special effects for the parody of Neapolitan sceneggiata.
There are other actors/prostitutes who offer performances that are worth seeing. You should come back again and again to see also
Raffaella Anzalone, Maria Avolio, Antonio Barberio, Federica Carruba Toscano, Riccardo Ciccarelli, Vincenzo Colursi, Cinzia Cordella, Veronica D’Elia, Marika De Chiara, Giampiero De Concilio, Renato De Simone, Dario Di Pietro, Annarita Ferraro, Martina Galletta, Mariano Gallo aka Priscilla Drag, Gabriele Guerra, Vincenzo Leto, Claudio Marino, Gianluca Merolli Francesca Morgante, Pierfrancesco Scannavino, Irene Scarpato, Simona Seraponte, Toto Traversa, Gianluca Vesce, Annarita Vitolo and the creators of the format themselves: Elisabetta Cianchini and the live and alive director Luciano Melchionna who beside being the Papi (pimp) of the brothel is the engine of the evening.
While in the rooms the spectators/clients enjoy the performances/performances in the courtyard of the castle the extraordinary musical entertainment continues. The band is a strong point that makes use of charismatic members such as the accordionist and keyboardist Antonella Monetti aka Dolores Melodia and the violinist Her.
All the musicians sing and welcome the actors/singers and guests (different every night) masterfully conducting the soundtrack of this fabulous experience that ends with a great party with a strong aggregating power, a moment in which all attendees hug each other to share love, joy and a shot of energy!
Dignità Autonome di Prostituzione is sold out almost every night. Furthermore to encourage your return an interesting formula has been activated : by showing the ticket of the event already seen you will receive a discount on the next ticket therefore you will get many chances to enjoy all the performances. We strongly recommend you to buy the ticket, collect your dollars at the box office and enjoy this incredible journey!
